Prep Football: Curtis Mitchell named new Barstow head coach

Curtis Mitchell will lead the Barstow football team as its new head coach after spending a lifetime steeped in the history and traditions of the program.

Mitchell’s mother served as the school’s mascot back when the school was called the Riffians. His father hosted a radio show during games in the 1990s and his grandfather is an alumnus of the Axe Game.

Mitchell is also a 2005 graduate from Barstow and played linebacker and fullback for the football team. Now he replaces Ray Silva, who led Barstow the past four seasons.

“It feels good,” Mitchell said. “It’s obviously an honor. I’ve been watching Barstow football since I could walk. Now I’m running the show. I’d like to keep the traditions alive, and get Barstow football back to where they were.”

Mitchell was the Aztecs defensive coordinator the previous two seasons. He said the process has been seamless as he’s taken over the program from Silva. He started guiding practices in May and officially was named head coach June 13.

Barstow is coming off a 4-6 season in which it missed the playoffs while finishing third in the Desert Sky League.

“The goal in league is always win it,” Mitchell said. “I think we are always in the thick of it. Hopefully, we rebound and get Victor and Silverado.”

Mitchell said he’ll continue to call the defense in addition to his duties as head coach. Not much is expected to change there while employing a 4-3 formation, although the team won’t have the luxury of sending out either Ezra or Elijah Paopao at linebacker after the two powerhouse brothers have graduated over the last two years.

The offense will evolve at least a little even if it will still be running based.

“I just would like our kids to be physical,” Mitchell said. “We are obviously going to run the ball, we always have.”

Mitchell said the team will move from the wing-T they’ve run the last couple seasons to the spread wing-T. Barstow will have the advantage of returning its entire offensive line.

Barstow opens the 2017 season at home against Citrus Hill on Aug. 25.

“I’m really excited,” Mitchell said. “I think we have a good group of guys. Good foundation set. We just have to guide them in the right direction.”

Matthew Peters can be reached at 760-955-5365 or mpeters@vvdailypress.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @DP_MattPeters.

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